A midseason unraveling
A few weeks before “Hawaii Five-0” began its new season in September, I waxed on about our hopes and fears about what was to come during the show’s third year of sun-drenched police procedurals and bromantic banter.
Season two left us with Wo Fat behind bars, Danno fighting for custody of young Gracie, Chin having to make a dramatic choice between saving his wife, Malia, or his cousin, Kono, and of course, the shocking return of Mama McG. We wondered who would die, who would be saved, and what other bad tidings awaited our team.
Yet little did we know that after 17 episodes, we are still waiting to get over the season three hurdles set up during the ambitious premiere. I suppose even a huge claw cannot hold onto the slippery Wo Fat, the mystery that is Doris McGarrett, or the ambiguity surrounding Adam Noshimuri — and that’s just a start to the questions still to be unraveled this season.
We have seven episodes left to bring us to the exciting conclusion of yet another roller coaster season. What can we expect from our fab four and the other characters that have been added to the team? I may not have a magic table to organize it all for you — but I’m sure you can follow along and add your own thoughts to the plot lines that still need to be wrapped up or will perhaps bleed over into season four.
Where in the world is Wo Fat?
» Character: Wo Fat (Mark Dacascos), international criminal mastermind
» Status: In the wind
After Wo Fat’s James Bond escape in the season premiere and his dabble into politics was thwarted by McG and Danno, Wo Fat is still lose and still seems to want to destroy McG.
But for some reason, he seems to have lost his taste for finding “Shelburne,” who we now know is the alias created by Joe White for Doris McGarrett. In season two, Wo Fat was hell bent on finding Shelburne, and taking his revenge out on the person he believed killed his father. Yet when he finally found Doris, the only shots exchanged were between Doris’s gun and the floorboards. Wo Fat has yet to return to kill Doris, and seems to have moved onto finding other ways to infiltrate McG’s life.
So far, his political aspirations failed, but who knows what else our silent but still seemingly deadly foe has planned for the McGarretts. I’m sure I am not alone when I say that we haven’t seen anything yet this season when it comes to Wo Fat. In season two he broke into Halawa Prison and killed one of his own henchmen, Victor Hesse; he corrupted and killed CIA agent, Jenna Kaye; he tortured and almost killed McGarrett in North Korea; and he found and dismembered his former Yakuza ally, Hiro Noshimuri.
If nothing else, Wo Fat is a bad bad guy. So the new question is — why did he let Doris McGarrett live?
The Mystery of Mama McG
» Character: Doris McGarrett (Christine Lahti), mother to Steven and Mary Ann, former CIA operative, a.k.a “Shelburne”
» Status: Playing Mom in the McGarrett home
We still have no idea what Mama McG has up her sleeve. If the question about Wo Fat is why did he let her live, then why did Doris let Wo Fat escape?
It’s obvious that she let the man who on several occasions has attempted to kill her son, who most likely tried to blow her up 20 years ago, and who probably ordered the death of her husband, Jack, hightail it out an open window. She may have found an oddly comfortable spot back home with her worrisome son, and a semi-soul mate in private eye, Mick Logan, but Doris still has a few too many bags of mystery to unpack before anyone can begin to trust her.
Steve may want to keep tabs on her, find out what she is up to, and where she is going, but wily Mama seems to be one step ahead of her son. And to her credit, while I am as suspicious as Steve of everything she does, I am still very intrigued about what she really has hiding behind her Mama exterior.
I only hope Catherine doesn’t fall into any of her traps, and that Steve and Mary Ann won’t face any more heartache when it comes to Mama McG.
Figuring out the Brothers Noshimuri
» Characters: Adam (Ian Anthony Dale) and Michael (Daniel Henney) Noshimuri
» Status: Adam is currently working to change his Yakuza based business into legitimate ventures; Michael, recently released from prison, seems to be joining his brother in legitimizing their family business
In the season three opener, Adam was our hero, diving into the drink to save Kono from drowning. I’m sure we could have bought a scenario where Kono gets out of her bonds and saved herself, but it was nice to see the “bad” guy turn out to be pretty decent. And while Adam and Kono seem to be developing into more than just a sexy fling, I am not sure Kono quite trusts her former Yakuza boyfriend.
As for Adam’s brother, Michael, we all saw him switch out Kono’s gun, and we’re still waiting to see how that plays out for her. In the last two season finales, Kono has ended up in two really sticky situations — could a third time on the proverbial chopping block be in Kono’s future?
She had her badge taken away in season one, and she faced death in season two; the girl cannot catch a break. I guess we can only hope that whatever happens, the right brother gets to keep the girl and continue on his path to redemption.
Love is in the Air
» Characters: Danny (Scott Caan) and Gracie (Teilor Grubbs) Williams; and Steve McGarrett (Alex O’Loughlin) and Catherine Rollins (Michelle Borth)
» Status: Unknown
I know most of us were relieved when Danno got custody of Gracie and learned that she would not be moving to the mainland with Rachel and Stan. And while we haven’t seen much of Gracie since the Victoria Secret episode, I am not so sure that Danno’s troubles over Gracie are over.
For two seasons we have dealt with Danno’s custody troubles, as well as his love for his ex-wife Rachel, but are they really at rest? After the great backstory on Grace’s namesake, and Danno’s heartfelt plea to the family court judge to keep his daughter in Hawaii, I would like to say that Danno would have a normal, uneventful future with his daughter.
Don’t laugh. It could happen.
But “Hawaii Five-0” tends to want to provoke drama more than end it, so the likelihood of Danno’s future being uneventful, seems like a slim possibility. Much like the future between Steve and Cath — while I adore the cuteness that seems to surround them, I do think that the sins of the mother may get in between “McRoll” (the moniker fans have given the relationship between McG and Rollins; think Brangelina or the former TomKat).
If anything is going to break these two apart — and I don’t wish that for a second, but I know how my favorite show tends to operate — it will be the deal with the devil Cath made with Doris in “Wahine ʻIno Loa.” If we have to choose between Mama and Cath, I’m rolling my dice for more Rollins.
So, my hungry “Five-0” fans, I could go on for a few more thousand words to detail even more about season three, but I’m sure there will be more discussion in the next few months as we wait impatiently for new episodes.
Perhaps by May, some of the above mysteries will be solved, or at least unraveled enough for us to make it to season four.
Redux Side Note:
If you missed last night’s repeat, just read my review. And don’t miss next week Monday’s rebroadcast of “Pōpilikia.”
A new “Five-0” episode will air March 18, with Catherine strapping on some skates to go undercover at the roller derby. I wonder what her cool derby girl nickname will be?
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Wendie Burbridge is a published author, playwright and teacher who lives and works in Honolulu. Reach her via Facebook and follow her on Twitter.
26 responses to “A midseason unraveling”
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Standing ovation!!! brilliantly put together and and as always smart and to the point!! Your awesomesauce Wendie!
Mahalo Dina! thanks for your enthusiasm and your support:) This was a fun one to write:) Aloha, Wendie
We’ve all been taught that every story needs a beginning, a middle and an end. The writers at H5-0 get the beginning down pat, they dangle meaty tidbits in the middle and then nothing. They write an ending that tends to leave everyone saying huh, what happened? That’s good (skewed reasoning I know) but that means that the end is nowhere in sight and we’ll get more of Hawaii 5-0!!
I’m not a fan of mom McG. She’s self-centered, deceitful and secretive. More like Mommy Dearest than Mother-of-the-Year. Bringing Catherine into her web just sealed my utter dislike of her. I also feel Catherine’s deal with the devil will come between her and Steve, but Catherine will win. They’re very much alike, McRoll, and they need each other. Even though Wo Fat has been extremely quiet most of this season, his thirst for revenge will bring him out of his rabbit hole, lead him to find Doris and kill her. I think her dying will give Steve the relief and closure he needs to finally get on with his life with no more regrets or guilt. Since I have my doubts the writers will sufficiently explain the blood feud leaving us hanging, it does leave the door opened for more Wo Fat. Someday we may find out the reason for this feud, but for now, at least, Wo Fat adds some excitement and intrigue to my fav show.
Danny and Gracie will have more struggles no doubt. There’s nothing like a good Danny tantrum involving Gracie to add tears and cheers to the mix! Kono and Adam and the mystery of the gun with Michael will either be swept under the rug or used as a part of another climatic ending that H5-0 is famous for. My guess? Part of a climatic ending! We can’t forget Chin either – we need to get some more intrigue for him too, hmm, maybe a new love interest??
I’m looking forward to season 4 and many more seasons to unravel the storylines!! Oh, and I think Rollin’ Rollins is a good nickname for Catherine!! Thanks Wendie for all your insights and hard work!!
I’m thinking that Chin is going to get a new love interest with Leilani the Halawa nurse he saved in “ʻŌlelo ho‘opaʻi make”- but Danno got a new love interest and we haven’t seen her in a LONG time. Perhaps now that “Last Resort” has concluded, Dr. Gabby will be back. If nothing else, I really want to see Gracie sometime soon that is for sure. Love your comments, Karen, thanks so much for reading and commenting! Aloha, Wendie
Thanks you for all you do Wendie!! You sure add to my LOVE for #H50 🙂
Thanks for reading:) Aloha, Wendie
Thanks Wendie, as always, for a great wrap-up of all that is going on and might happen in the future. We can only wait anxiously 🙂
Oh, waiting waiting! At least we have a new one on the 18th! Thanks so much for reading and commenting Terri:) Aloha, Wendie
Thanks Wendie,love reading all recaps because I know if I missed anything you didn’t. Love it! 🙂
Thanks Lizzie! I did miss a few things- but if you read through the comments, others caught it. We all help each other out:) Thanks for reading and commenting! Aloha, Wendie
The moderator doesn’t like me long comments so I’m going to break this up…
As always Wendie..you hit every nail squarely on it’s head! All of
these great story lines, eventually, need resolution but I tend to think
we won’t get answers to everything and what we DO get answers for will
be replaced with 5 more questions. So goes the thrill of serialized
television. Do we really want every answer to every question?
Nah…where’s the fun in that? Besides, once every mystery is solved,
there’s no reason to watch. I’m perfectly content to always have a
couple of mysteries on the stove so the show can continue year after
year.
I agree, WoFat has been suspiciously quite for quite some
time and that is never a good thing. It’s like puppies and small
children. When you don’t see them or hear them THAT’S when you worry. I
tend to think WoFat’s story, in connection with Mama McG, will be the
main one that will propel us into S4. Five-0 is primarily McGarrett’s
story after all so these two people, how the finally come to blows
(however that will happen) and the effect that will have on Steve (how
he reacts to it and how he moves on from it) will be the major
cliffhanger for the finale and the start of S4. It’s inevitable. It
will also tie in with Catherine and their relationship because once
Steve finds out about Cath’s “deal with the devil” he is NOT going to be
a happy camper at all.
LOL Linda- when we don’t see puppies and children that when we have to worry! LOL I love it! So true with Wo Fat! In his case, no news is BAD news! But I think you are right- I guess they can’t wrap up all these questions without leaving us hanging enough that we come back for season 4- right? And thanks for always trying to post even if you get cut off. It’s okay if you post 2 or 3 times to get your thoughts in:) I don’t mind! Mahalo for always reading and commenting:) Aloha, Wendie
Great blog, as usual! I always enjoy reading it, even if I almost never comment on it :(.
However I have a differing opinion on Wo Fat being behind the car bombing that supposedly killed Mama McG–either accidentally (as Steve initially always believed) or through homicide (which Chin discovered it was classified as, according to HPD records). Since she was discovered alive & well, I’ve wondered if the car bombing was perhaps a ruse created by Papa McG with or without the assistance of Joe White, & or by Mama McG herself with or without the assistance of others (Perhaps some of her CIA cronies?), in order to facilitate her disappearance all those years ago.
Another thing I hope we find out is what the heck is up with that microfilm Mama McG pulled out of the floorboards at Steve’s house, while he was out on whichever case it was? (I think it was the ep where Steve tried to use Chin as her “babysitter”, which didn’t end up working) It could end up being nothing, but the scene seemed (to me) to be significant enough that the microfilm is supposed to be important for some reason.
HI Carmen! Thanks for taking the time to comment:) I know you always read! Mahalo! I like your concept of the car bombing- that’s a good idea- and i don’t think a farfetched one with how things have been unfolding. And yes, I am also wondering about the microfilm as well. What evidence did she keep that she needs now? SO many questions- I only hope they answer them and not keep us hanging:) Thanks for more insight:) Aloha, Wendie
Awesome review and I hope we get some answers but I won’t hold my breath. lol
LOL I know how you feel, Martha:) Thanks for reading and commenting! Aloha, Wendie
How about the fact that Kono cloned Adam’s phone, what was he up too and did she ever find out? I hope we get some answers soon, especially, with the McG, Mamma, Wo Fat story.
Thanks Alyssa- I couldn’t figure out a way to add that tidbit into my paragraph, but I knew you all would remember it. Thanks for mentioning it in your comment. That is definitely a mystery I want solved– along with the McG/Mama/Wo Fat storyline. Thanks for reading and commenting:) Aloha, Wendie
Thank you Wendie, for reminding me of ALL the ongoing mysteries/mini-dramas we have going on simultaneously in Season 3 of #H50! Wow – that’s a lot to keep track of! Like you, I need an answer to the burning question of the mysterious relationship between Mom McG and WoFat. Steve really does deserve to know this little bit of his mother’s history. Does the relationship go back to her early days as a CIA spy? Did she fake her own death in the car bombing because she was called back into active service to infiltrate WoFat’s father’s businesses and eventually assassinate said father? Could she have used WoFat to get to the father – I bet she could be quite the siren – and WoFat not realize that she had set him up for his father’s fall until he saw her in the safe house? The shock could have rocked his foundations, and created a sense of bewilderment in which WoFat needed to escape first, process what he just learned, and then come back at a later date to confront Doris and quite probably attempt to finish her off. As to why in the world Doris didn’t shoot WoFat right then and there, I don’t have a clue, unless she had actually cared for him at some point in time! Please, Show, let us get this figured out this season!
I sincerely hope there is no more Danny and Gracie drama the rest of this season. Been there, done that the last 2 season finales. Please let Danny be in the middle of the action with Steve – as his best friend, partner and back up. That’s what I feel the show has been in the process of developing this entire season, so let’s see that friendship used beneficially!
Kono/Adam/Michael – that will definitely be important in the closing episodes of the season. I hope Adam makes the right choice – I think Michael is going to do something really criminal and he’s going to force Adam to choose between blood and love. I really like Kono and Adam as a couple – don’t blow this, Adam!
Oh, and Catherine. I love her. I can’t understand why Steve would get so upset with her for not telling him about his mother’s little run-in with the drug cartel boss – unless whatever drama happens with Mom McG is a result of this event and nothing to do with Wo Fat! That might be interesting!
Thanks again, Wendie! Lots left to happen in the last 7 episodes!
Hey Lynnette:) Whew! Now you’ve given me a lot to think about! I am SO with you! I want these questions answered as well:) And I love Cath too- I can’t see McG being upset with her, but you never know how they will have Steve react to Cath and Mama. It’s all very interesting and I’m looking forward to seeing how it all rolls out in these next few months:) Thanks for reading and commenting:) Aloha, Wendie
I hate to quibble on what may (or may not) be a small point Wendie,
but Shelburne was Doris’s name in the “agency.”
She told Steve that in Japan in the Season Opener, and in Season Two
Kensi Blye told us that Steve’s father demanded to know who Shelburne was when
he met Wo Fat in the governor’s office sometime early in 2010. Joe White only continued to use the name
during Season Two. Otherwise, you’ve
done a great job of summing up the current season.
Hey Ed-
Well, I guess I just made the leap from “Agency” to CIA. It’s actually a fairly small point- since really we just need to know that Doris is some sort of ex-spy. I may ask the writers if I get the chance what they mean by the “Agency.” I would imagine that it would be more important that we know that she’s a super spy/covert ops assassin et. al. And I did list her as “aka” Shelburne- which is what she was “also known as.” Otherwise, thanks for reading and commenting:) Aloha, Wendie
Great wrapup of the season so far Wendie.
So I guess you are saying that we need to wait until the day after St. Patrick’s Day to view a new ep. Do they have a Green Hawaiian instead of the Blue Hawaiian on March 17th?
Paul
Thanks Paul! Not sure about the Blue Hawaiian going Green for St. Patty’s Day- but I know that Murphy’s serves an awful lot of Green Beer! 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting! Come back on the 19th to read my review of “Na Ki’i” 🙂 Aloha, Wendie
Gah I just want Kono to end up with Steve lol that’s my vain hope
That’s an interesting coupling- definitely a new one one to me- but hey, we can have McRoll, McDanno, why not McKono? 🙂 thanks for reading and commenting, Sarah. Aloha, Wendie